Why preventive care is important

Remember the old saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? This can be especially true when it comes to preventive health care. Maintaining or improving your health is important - and a focus on regular preventive care, along with following the advice of your doctor, can help you stay healthy.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Mucous cysts are common on the inner surface of the lips and appear as a semitransparent fluid-filled blister. They are painless but bothersome because people are so aware of irregularities in the mouth. The cysts are thought to be caused by sucking action drawing the mucous membranes between the teeth. Mucous cysts are harmless. If left untreated, however, they can organize and form a permanent bump on the inner surface of the lip.

Symptoms

a transparent fluid filled bleb on the inside of the lip

also seen on the tongue, palate, inside the cheeks (buccal mucosa) and the floor of the mouth (ranulas)

lesion is painless

Signs and tests
Physical examination is sufficient to diagnose a mucous cyst.

Treatment
A mucous cyst often can be left alone; it usually will rupture spontaneously. Opening the top of the bleb with sterile needle is curative. If the cyst recurs, it may need to be removed (excised).

Note: To prevent infection and damage to the tissue, opening the bleb should NOT be performed at home by the parents; it should be performed by your health care provider.

Expectations (prognosis)
Full recovery can be expected.

Complications
There are usually no complications.

Calling your health care provider
If it becomes uncomfortable, have the cyst examined by your health care provider during a routine examination.

Prevention
There is no known prevention. Avoiding intentionally sucking the cheeks or lips between the teeth may be helpful.

Last revised: December 7, 2012by Sharon M. Smith, M.D.

Medical Encyclopedia

All ArmMed Media material is provided for information only and is neither advice nor a substitute for proper medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional who understands your particular history for individual concerns.

It's easy to make a financial decision based on what you need right now, but making an informed choice will benefit you in the long run. Meet a former Red Sox pitcher who picked security over an uncertain future